Garuda Appoints New Manager for Oz

Suranto Yitnopawiro Promoted to Overseas Garuda's Business in Australia.

(6/18/2005) Garuda Indonesia - the Indonesian national carrier, has appointed a new General Manager to oversee its rapid expansion of services in Australia.

Mr. Suranto Yitnopawiro assumes the post of General Manager Australia/USA at a time when Australian traffic to Bali is growing to record levels. Formerly Garuda's State Manager for Victoria, Mr Suranto's new role, encompassing all of Australia, will make him responsible for enhancing the co-ordination and focus of the Airline's expanding sales and marketing initiatives in that market.

Focussing and co-ordinating the huge energy and potential of Garuda Indonesia within the Australian market will reinforce the airline's strong relationships with both the travel industry and with its loyal and expanding visitor base, says Mr Suranto, who was in Melbourne for more than two years and General Manager of Garuda's Denpasar and Yogyakarta operations before that.

Mr Suranto succeeds Mr Iriansyah Antemas, who has taken up new responsibilities the Airline's Head Office in Jakarta.

According to Garuda's Australian sales team, holiday travel to Bali more than doubled in the latest calendar year, as the "Island of the Gods" approached all-time record levels with more than a quarter of a million Australians attracted by inducements such as world class hotels and resorts, some of Asia's best spa and golf facilities and an exchange rate that is the best for 20 years. The impetus has continued throughout 2005 with more than 20,000 Australians visiting Bali during April and almost 80,000 holidaying on the beautiful island during the first four months of 2005.

According to the airline, bookings are continuing strongly for the months ahead.